Ignition mechanism



July 20 1926.

\ B. DICK IGNITION IECHANIS I Filed Mayes, `192:5

urn/ Enma ATTORNEY Patented July 20, 1925.

unirse sra'ras PATlN'I, OFFICE.`

BURNS DICK, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOUR, ASSIGNOR TO WAGNER ELECTRC CORPORA- TION, 0F ST. LOUIS, MIS.OUlEt[j A COREOB-ATlON OF DELAWARE.

IG'NITION MECHANISM.

Application filed May a5, 1923.

.This invention vrelates to ignition mechanism tor internal combustion engines and particularly to a combined timer and distributor unit having the characteristics and advantages hereinafter pointed out.

In ignition apparatus now in use for multi-cylinder engines the circuit breaker 'or timei, is either in the same compartment with the distributor and enclosed by the same cover or casing, or otherwise so located with respect to other operative parts that neither access to it nor inspection of its operation is possible while the engine is running. This condition makes it impossible to ascertain whether faulty operation of an ignition system is due'in whole or in part to the timer or timer contacts, and necessitatestrial ot various adjustments until a satisfactory one is lfound it possible.' Since the actual operation ot the timer cannot be observed, unnecessary .inspections and adjustments or' it are often made in an at-r tempt. to locate and overcome the cause of improper engineoperation when such cause may not be in the timer or even in any part ot the ignition system.

One Ot the objects of my invention is to provide a 4combined timer-distributor unit in which the operation of the timer may be readily observed while the engine is running and consequently at varying engine speeds. Another `object is to reduce the breaker arm inertia to a very low point whereby operation at the higherv engine speeds is improved. Other objects and advantages will appear trom the following more detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a timer-distributor mechanism embodying my invention; Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-section on the line 2N2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view showing breaker arm and associated parts (the cover therefor being removed) and Figure 4 is a plan` view of the'spark advance lever shown in side view in Figure 1.

Y The main support tor the timer-distribu tor mechanism is the casting 1 having its lower end cylindrical for insertion in the standard S. A. E. mounting, in which it enters the mounting sleeve on the generator (not shown). The operating shaft 2 eX- tending throuv'h this support is provided at the lower en with the standard coupling Serial No. 641,342.

3, and at its upper end carries the distributor ll. This shait also carries the cam 6 keyed thereto in the form yshown, but may be integral with it.

The support 1 is provided with a longi`v tudinally extending slot 7 having its inner opening opposite'the cam. The breaker arm 8 is pivotally mounted on hub 5 on the exterior of the support 1 and extends over the exterior opening ot the slot7; Seated in this slot 7, and freely movable longitudi` nally therein, isa strip of iber or other suitable material 9, which is notl connected to the breaker arm 'but by means ot which the cam imparts impulses to this arm. The outer end ot the arm carries contact 10 cooperating with adjustable contact 11 connected to contact terminal 12, both 11 and 12 being insulated trom f the support 1.' Spring 19 returns the breaker arm to closed position. A removable covering cap or`casing 13, which maybe held in place by the spring bail 14, or other suitable means, encloses the timer lever and contacts.

The contact terminals 22 of the distribue tor mechanism are carried in the insulating cap or head 15 in the usual manner and-this cap is removably secured to the support 1 by means of screws 16. Condenser 18 is mounted on the support 1 and has one terminal connected to terminal 12 and the other to the support. 21 indicates the opening for lubricating the drive-shaft.

It will be understood Yfrom the drawings that the high tension circuit comprises the central terminal of the cap 15, the conductive portions of distributor arm and the outer terminals of the cap in succession.y

The low tension circuit comprises the support, the contacts 10 and 11, and the ter minal 12.

The lever 17, whose inner end'is clamped around'the support 1, is connected to the manual spark control lever (not shown) and serves to rotate the support 1 in the mounting sleeve and thus adjusts the time of spark occurrence with respect to engine piston position. The clamping mechanism, by means of which the lever 17, is connected to the support 1, renders it easy to make the proper initial adjustment of the lever with respect to this support after the mechanism has been assembled on the engine. The lever is a one piece stampin the part embracing the support being exi-ble and having.. aI

free end connected by bolt 20 to the body of the lever.

In the operation ot the mechanism the fiber strip 9 is yctuated by the cam 6 and alternately separates and permits reeng'agement oi'.j 'the circuit breaker contacts l() and l l, and it will be noted that the location of contacts and breaker pivot at points removed from cam construction permits the use of a very short breaker 'arm and this reduces its necessary Weight and consequently its inertia whereby the time of separation oit' contacts at high speed is reduced.

Since the liber strip J is not attached to the breaker arm, the eight of rivets or other attaching means heretofore employed is omitted and the breaker a1-rn can be placed at considerable distance 'lfrom the cam and thus rendered easily visible without adding weight to the 'moving breaker parts, since the Weight oi.t the added length oit iber is compensated ior by omission ot means 'tor attaching it to the arm. The long bearing oi the 4liber in the slot 7 in the sugjiport also makes it possible to employ a thin and consequently light strip or liber.

The cover 13 on the breaker mechanism may be removed Without disturbing the operative parts or vthat mechanism or of A'the distributor and the character and regularity of the breaker action l.can be observed and even contact adjustments be made while the engine is running. This constitutes a marked advantage over Atimer-distributor stri'ilctures'in which Atedious out and try methods of locating` and removing causes of faulty ignition are necessarv.

laving fully described my invention,

what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent oil the United States is;

l. An ignition unit Yfor an internal combustion engine, comprising,` a support, a cani rfzfiatable nerein, a spring actuated circi-iit breaker arm i'noun'ted on the support, and :i breaker actuating member freely slidablc iu either direction in the Wall of the support and held in operative relation with the cam by the breaker arm.

An ignition unit for an internal coinbit u 1 engine, comprisingl a support, a drive slm'it externling,A therethrough, a cam on said shaft, said support "havingl an inner wall portion chisel); adjacent to the periphery oi the cam, a distrilmtor arm 'actuated by the slia'lt, a circuit breaker mechanism mou'irtcd on the exterior of the support, and a brealiier actuating member adapted to convey i'nqmlses 'from die cam to the breaker nurchanism7 said actuating member extending through and Awholly supported by the 'wall ol the support.

k3. 5in ignition unit :for an internal conib'ustion engine, comprising la support, la rotatable cani within the Support, a circuit breaker mechanism mounted on the exterior ot' the support and comprising a movable arm carrying a contact, and a breaker arm actuating 'member freely slidable in either direction vin an opening through the Wall of the support and adapted to engage the breaker arm to convey vimpulses from the cam to said larm but not attached to either.

ln testimony whc'reoi, I have hereunto set my hand and allixed my seal.

BURNS DICK.

[L S-l 

